An Unfamiliar Ceiling
I woke up the next day bandaged in a bed.
("An unfamiliar ceiling…") [Solace]
I've always wanted to say that once. Anyways, I found myself in a small white room. It looked a bit too decorated for it to be some kind of hospital room, but I couldn't be too sure.
("Wooden furniture, bookcases, a tea set, a small corner of unwritten mail… Is this someone's office?") [Solace]
I heard a creak and turned as I saw the dark wooden door swing open.
"...Master?" [Solace]
The familiar figure of my master entered the room.
"It appears you've awakened." [Vincent]
He then casually summoned an icy chair by my side and sat in it.
"...Did you just use ice magic to make a chair?" [Solace]
"It's convenient, no?" [Vincent]
Even though the ice chair was quite close, I didn't feel any sort of chill. I was a bit curious, so I decided to reach out and touch it.
("I can't imagine that sitting on a cold chair would be very comfortable…") [Solace]
As I lifted my arm, I grunted as a sharp pain ran its way throughout my torso.
"Ow!" [Solace]
I quickly retracted my arm as I winced in pain.
"Careful now. Your wounds are quite serious." [Vincent]
"...I think I noticed." [Solace]
Not only was my entire torso bandaged, my head was as well.
"Wow. What did Leon do to me?" [Solace]
"Your spine was shattered as well as your ribs. Not only that, the back of your skull is cracked in three different locations." [Vincent]
"...Three different locations? What's that supposed to mean?" [Solace]
"It doesn't matter. Either way, it is required to rest for a few days." [Vincent]
That was pretty surprising considering the damage sounds like it would take a lot more than a few days to recover.
"Hey, can't I just use healing magic?" [Solace]
Master shook his head.
"There is only so much magic can do. Of course, we can use magic on you. It's just that your body wouldn't be able to bear it." [Vincent]
"In what way?" [Solace]
"Allow me to show you a demonstration." [Vincent]
Master took a sheet of yellow paper from the desk I saw before and froze it.
"Think of this as your body." [Vincent]
"Uh-huh…" [Solace]
I wasn't quite sure where he was going with this.
"Now imagine that thawing this mail is equivalent to healing your body." [Vincent]
He then set it aflame, causing the ice to melt in an instant. Though, the speed of which he thawed it caused the paper to come out burnt.
"Imagine that the fire was healing magic. Do it too fast and your body will suffer. Understand?" [Vincent]
"I get the gist of it." [Solace]
Master still didn't tell me exactly what would happen if I healed too quickly.
"So… what now?" [Solace]
"Once you've recovered, you will receive your reward from the lord of this country himself." [Vincent]
If I remembered correctly, "lords" were the equivalent of kings from Earth.
"Er… I'm not sure how I feel about that." [Solace]
"Is it because of the etiquette lessons?" [Vincent]
"...What?" [Solace]
"There is a specific etiquette you must maintain in front of the lord. In which, you will learn before attending the audience." [Vincent]
I was greatly saddened knowing I was going to attend another class.
"Well, just rest for now. All will be as fate ordains." [Vincent]
Master stood up and snapped his fingers, willing the ice chair to vanish.
"Do you want to explain what that means, or will you leave me with your cryptic words?" [Solace]
Master strolled to the door and turned back.
"I'll leave you with my cryptic words." [Vincent]
He then closed the door with a smile.
("Damn.") [Solace]
I was left alone for a whole two seconds until the door opened again.
"Missed me?" [Wilharrow]
I didn't even say anything. All I did was stare at his head peering through the door.
"Yikes… You're staring daggers into me." [Wilharrow]
"Can you leave? I'm injured." [Solace]
"I know." [Wilharrow]
He entered the room, hiding something behind his back.
"I got something for you." [Wilharrow]
"Is it money?" [Solace]
"Nah." [Wilharrow]
Actual disappointment.
"I got you something better." [Wilharrow]
He then pulled out a basket of strange… fruits? I think they were fruits. Some were round, some were cubed, and they were quite colorful.
"...What is this?" [Solace]
"They are fruits known for healing. Pretty tasty if you ask me." [Wilharrow]
More disappointment.
"Please leave." [Solace]